Medication errors: what are they, why they happen and what you can do

Patients can suffer pain or a medical incident if there’s a medication error or drug error for a prescription medication, over-the-counter medication or health supplement. Learn more about medication errors – why they happen and what you can do if you or your loved one suffers an injury because of medicine errors.

Medication in Australia

Every medication and health supplement has its own benefits, risks and side effects. It is essential that prescription, dispensing and usage are all correct, for the benefit of each person and to avoid negative consequences including injury.

What is a medication error?

The ordinary understanding of a medication error is when:

• There is a preventable event, such as:

  • A prescribing error due to medical misdiagnosis or incomplete patient information 

  • Incorrect labelling on a medication 

  • A patient’s misinterpretation of a medication label or medication instructions (or their failure to follow the label or instructions) 

  • An adverse interaction between the medications or supplements a person is taking

• The preventable event causes or leads to incorrect or inappropriate medication use and / or patient harm

Medication errors can cause considerable harm, including death. It is vital to seek immediate medical treatment or advice if there’s been a medication error.

Why do medication errors in Australia happen?

In practical terms, a medication error is usually when a person takes:

• An incorrect type of medication (an example might be prolonged use of proton pump inhibitor medication for certain gastrointestinal disorders) 

• An incorrect dosage of medication 

• Various medications and supplements and how they interact with each other, causing patient harm

But why do medication errors occur? Here are a few common types of medication errors: 

• Incorrect prescription (e.g., incorrect dosage amount indicated on a doctor’s prescription) 

• Failing to prescribe, dispense or administer a medication indicated by a patient’s symptoms or diagnosis 

• Labelling error (e.g., pharmacist’s printed label details a dosage different from the doctor’s prescription) 

• Improper use of a medication by a patient 

• Failing to account for the patient’s medical conditions or allergy. 

• Failing to account for the potential drug interactions(e.g. because of an incomplete patient history assessment) 

• Failing to follow the prescribing or dispensing rules for a medication 

• Administration or manual handling errors (e.g., a patient is given the incorrect medication) 

Impact of medication errors on patients

According to a Pharmaceutical Society of Australia report, the impact of medication errors on patients include: 

• 250,000 annual hospital admissions because of medication-related problems 

• An additional 400,000 people attending emergency departments 

• An annual cost of $1.4 billion dollars 

• After hospital discharge, over 90% of patients have at least one medication-related problem 

Around 50% of this harm is preventable.  

What to do if there’s been a medication error

If you have been incorrectly prescribed a medication or have taken a medication out of routine, it’s important to immediately seek medical advice or treatment.

If your medication error was caused by someone’s negligence, you can:

• Make a complaint to your state’s Health Ombudsman

• Seek advice from a specialist lawyer about your options

If you or your loved one has suffered injury from a medication error, you may be eligible to make a medical negligence compensation claim. We know that compensation can’t restore your health. However a successful medical negligence claim can help you to access the financial, care and support services that you and your family need to heal, and move forward with your life.

How medication errors impacted our client Mr Jones*

Our client Mr Jones had a minor heart condition, managed by two different medications prescribed by his doctor. When Mr Jones had both prescriptions refilled at his local pharmacy, the pharmacist put each medication’s label on the incorrect bottle. 

Because of the incorrect labelling, for the next three weeks Mr Jones took incorrect dosages of each medication. He then suffered a stroke causing permanent physical harm requiring ongoing daily care. 

Shine Lawyers’ expert medication error lawyers helped Mr Jones with his medical negligence claim. Successful settlement of the claim provided Mr Jones with the financial means to pay for the necessary professional care and equipment that help improve his independence and quality of life. 

*Client’s name changed to protect his identity

Shine Lawyers – we’re here to help

Our team of medical negligence lawyers includes medication error lawyers who are experts in this highly specialised area of law and have a unique understanding of both the legal and medical intricacies involved. Our dedicated medical negligence team works on a No Win No Fee* basis, so you can access the legal representation and justice you deserve. 

If you or your loved one has suffered injury because of negligent medication errors or drug errors, we’ll help you to understand your rights and access your full entitlements, ensuring you receive the best outcome for your situation.  

Get in touch with Shine Lawyers today for an obligation free consultation or check your eligibility for a claim using our free online booking tool.